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Ron Smith · 05-12-2008, 11:58 AM

Jack,

Welcome to the forum. Your Luger was made by Mauser (byf code) in 1942. The serial number is 527 probably with an h ( inverted y ?) suffix which indicates the serial number block. The 27 on the small parts are the last two numbers of the SN indicating a "matched" gun. Lugers were made 10,000 to a letter block. The following year they started over with a different letter.

The Eagle 135 marks on the right side are Mauser acceptance and proof marks. The letters inside are just inspectors marks, used to show that it was inspected for flaws.

Unit marking ceased in 1937, so there's not much chance of identifying the unit it was issued to. Any records have long since been either destroyed or lost.

41 byf and 42 byf Lugers are referred to as "Black Widows". So tagged by a U.S. dealer as a marketing ploy, since some have black grips. Does your Luger have black bakelite grips or wood? Either is correct, however there are fake black grips on the market.

Ron

05-12-2008, 11:58 AM	#2
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Jack, Welcome to the forum. Your Luger was made by Mauser (byf code) in 1942. The serial number is 527 probably with an h ( inverted y ?) suffix which indicates the serial number block. The 27 on the small parts are the last two numbers of the SN indicating a "matched" gun. Lugers were made 10,000 to a letter block. The following year they started over with a different letter. The Eagle 135 marks on the right side are Mauser acceptance and proof marks. The letters inside are just inspectors marks, used to show that it was inspected for flaws. Unit marking ceased in 1937, so there's not much chance of identifying the unit it was issued to. Any records have long since been either destroyed or lost. 41 byf and 42 byf Lugers are referred to as "Black Widows". So tagged by a U.S. dealer as a marketing ploy, since some have black grips. Does your Luger have black bakelite grips or wood? Either is correct, however there are fake black grips on the market. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...